Superior Freedom Protest

Collins stood in front of the relatively large group that made up Superior Freedom. Mimi was passing out candles and matches and soon the place was a glow with soft candle light. The sun was just setting as the last of the stragglers arrived. Clearing his throat, Collins climbed up onto the milkcrate and raised his hands high to call for attention.

"People, we are gathered here tonight, to remember the lost of a little boy not three weeks ago. In every organism on Earth there exists a mutation gene. It is the basic building block or evolution, the reason we have evolved. Unfortunatly some people don't think that way. Some people believe that mutation is scary and that it's a threat. But, in the words of Dr. Grey, leading geneticist in Homosuperior Research, Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. It has enabled us to evolve from a single-celled organism into the dominant species on the planet. This process is slow and normally taking thousands and thousands of years. But every few hundred millennia, evolution leaps forward..."

Comments:

As they approached, Jean's hand slowly dropped, and Mark found the wheelchair harder to push on the bumpy side road. She put a hand on his on the handle, and nodded her thanks.

Mark got the inclination to hang back as Jean stepped forwards with the Professor, looking proud and almost regal compared to the crowd huddled together with candles they approached. Skirt brushing her knees, Jean came to a stop near the front with the Professor, hanging near the edge of the crowd.

Jean looked intently up at Collins as he spoke, smiling softly at his passion and compassion. She placed a long-fingered hand gently on the Professor's shoulder.

//He's very impassioned,// She said mentally.

//Yes. I can see how he and Warren would clash if they thought they had a difference of opinion.// Jean made a small, confirming 'mmm', and lifted her hands to clap with the rest of the group as Collins paused.

Mimi was just making it to the back of the crowd with the last few candles as Collins continued. She stopped next to a young woman and her father in a wheelchair. "Candle?" she asked, holding out two. "Have you been to one of these before?" They didn't look like they were around here, but there were several people who had come here specifically to mourn the capture of this little boy. "I'm Mimi by the way, if you have any questions about the Organization I can give you any information that you need."

Jean and the Professor accepted a candle, lighting it off the match Mimi extended.

"Thank you- I'm Jean, this if Professor Charles Xavier. We know Artie- although this is my first rally of this sort." Jean said with a smile. "It seems to be quite popular," she noted, looking at the crowd.

"What exactly does your Organization do?" She asked, balancing the candle in her hand against the handle of the wheelchair.

//Professor, do you think we should tell them?//

//There was certainly a lot of planning that went into this- let them do what they need to, and then we can ensure them Artie is safe, but that their interest in the issue is still valuable.//

"Charles Xavier?" Mimi said, jaw dropping. "Didn't you write The New Evolution?" Several people nearby turn around and a general chatter rose up , detracting from Collins' speech. From behind her, Mark, still unseen raised his camera to his eye and started to film. This would definatly be a good place to start.

"Superior Freedom is an organization to raise awareness about the inequity that homosuperiors face everday." she said, "Would you like a pamphlet?" she asked, pulling out a stack that hand been tucked in the waistband of her skirt.

"Thank you," Jean said with a nod, taking a pamphlet. She looked back at Collins, expectantly awaiting the rest of his speech. The Professor took a pamphlet also, quietly thanking Mimi for her recognition.

"It is important to remember why we are here tonight." Collins said. "It isn't just because that little boy was abducted, it was why he was abducted. No child, should be told that because of how they look, how they've developed that they are not welcome and society. We as American's believed that we moved passed this when black slavery is abolished and again when we defeated Hitler during the Second World War. But once more, the threat of segregation because of genetics threatens to rise. Only a few years ago there was talk of a registration act. That law, thank god, was never passed, but there is still no freedom for these people. Very few people have dared to even come out to their families about their mutant status. Unlike skin color or sexual preference before them, this diversity scares people. According to some the only thing mutation does is create killers, but ladies and gentleman, we know better, we know the opportunities that these people, given the chance to flourish would have, and that is why we hold the vigil tonight."

Jean felt a warm swell of relief and pride in her. It was tremendously reassuring to see people like Collins, and to see crowds who supported it. A few stray thoughts ran through her head, and the Professor looked up at her, and nodded in response to one. Not questioning his wisdom of the decision, she gently held a hand out, fingers loosely extended. The Professor held his candle loosely, until he could feel invisible tendrils solidly grasping it.

The two candles, Jean's and the Professor's, floated gently up to hover in front of Collins. The few spare candles that Mimi had laid on the ground floated up as Jean lifted her other hand, and with a gentle movement they floated over to join the others.

Smoothly, delicately, the two unlit candles tilted into the lit ones, lighting themselves and then floating in a line in front of Collins.

"It is because of people like you, those who can see things for what they really, truthfully are, that change will begin in the world," She said in a strong but grateful voice. "Your support is what gives children hope, what gives adults the strength to continue fighting for mutant equality and rights. Thank you."

Collins raised his head and scanned the crowd for the voice. He'd distantly heard Mimi's squeel earlier about Charles Xavier, but he hadn't let it deter him from his speech. His eyes rested on Mimi at the very back of the crowd standing next to--and this he could barely believe--not only Professor Xavier himself, but Dr. Jean Grey. As the candles floated towards him, he grasped one and held it high. "Dr. Jean Grey." he said loudly and there was a thunderous applause. "I wonder if she would be obliged with giving us a small speech?" he asked, flashing her a large smile. He continued to scan the crowd, passed the regulars who attended meetings and some who he'd never seen before but appreciated their support none the less. And there, at the back, just off to the side of Dr. Grey, was Mark. Camera out as perusual, he was filming, and that made Collins smile even more. Now'd he'd see what the real issues were and where the real support lay.

Jean couldn't help but return the smile. Whispering something to the Professor, she made her way to the front through awed silence, thanks, and encouraging pats on the shoulders.

Collins stepped off the milk crate, and helped Jean clamber onto it in her high heels- which she managed with surprising grace, the candles still floating gently in front of her.

"Over the years, we've seen all sorts of resistance to Homosapien-Superiors. We've seen the police break up rallies outside houses that no one looked twice at until the neighbours found out they were living next to a mutant. I've seen children in playgrounds bullied and laughed at because their hair changed colour, or they accidentally moved a pencil by looking at it.

"They've tried to pass laws to force us to expose ourselves, tried to ban us from positions of power, jobs, and our safety. Mutants face the same kind of systemic discrimination we have seen over and over in the world, but through all their efforts, we're still here. And not only are we still here, but through efforts like that of Superior Freedom, Professor Xavier, and countless others, including yourselves, we are starting to change things for the better." She paused at an uproar of applause. The candles in front of her were flicerking now, the flames growing a little higher as Jean continued.

"The unconditional support we receive is the final push that will make a difference in shifting our Nation's perception of mutants. The spread of awareness and acceptance through the non-mutant population will make government figures stop and think before they try something. It will make people pause and reconsider their stereotypes. We can change this, and not through violence-" She paused, a mischeviously reserved smile creeping onto her lips. "Because that would hardly be fair to our attackers." The candle flames leapt upwards and twisted around eachother to back her point, continuing a swirling spiral dance as she spoke.

"Fear is our biggest obstacle in this. If we can overcome that, with as much support as we can muster, then I have no doubt we will see a day free of the surpression, extortion, and discrimination the mutant community lives with."

"Amen." Collins said loudly, as the group broke into a loud rambuncious cheer. "The concludes the speeches, you're welcome to stay around for a long as you want, there's a bit of tea and some other refreshments over there." he said, pointing to a couple of women who were manning a large cooler and several bags of cookies. He extended another hand to help Dr. Grey down and gave her a large hug. "Your support for this group, gives me hope that we're doing to right thing." he said, releasing her.

Collins' jaw dropped. A brief twitch passed under his right eye. "Hi Collins!" Mark called. Mimi had found him, and she and he were talking. He made his way through the crowd until he'd reached them. "Close on Collins. Who should probably apologize to my new boss sometime soon." He narrated with a smile. Mimi followed closely pushing Professor Xavier in the wheelchair.

"I--" Collins started. Words failed him, and he grabbed Mark in a hug instead. "Man, you said you wouldn't be home for a few days."

"I wouldn't mind hearing more about this confrontation," Jean murmered to Mimi and the Professor as Collins stepped back from Mark.

"So, Mark, you've met my friends- are you going to properly introduce me to all of yours," Jean teased. She'd already been introduced to the two standing with them, but two women were approaching, and one jumped on Mark and planted a large kiss on his cheek. Jean took her place beside the Professor, a hand on the side of his wheelchair again.

//How's Scott?// She asked. Even after her experience as Dark Phoenix, she didn't have the same honed psychic skills as the Professor.

"I'm Maureen!" The first said, with an award winning smile. "And let me just say that its an honor to meet you."

Mark smiled a little, amazed that Maureen wasn't making a fool of herself for once. "This is Joanne, she was my lawyer. And this---" Mark said, as the final member of his circle of friends entered the scene, warn from a full day of band practise. "Is the lead singer of the Well Hungarians, Roger Davis."

"Mimi said you weren't going to be home for a while." Roger replied blankly.

"A few of our students are fans of your...work." Jean replied to Roger, unfazed at his brashness. She extended a hand to Maureen, who shook it eagerly, and, Jean noticed, swaggered her hips a little closer. Jean pointedly started twirling her wedding ring, smiling softly.

The Professor's eyes darkened slightly, and he reached a hand up to Jean, who bent down next to him comfortingly.

"Is he cold?" Maureen asked concerned. "We didn't bring blankets and things, but there's a couple of places nearby he could go to warm up." Mark shook his head and directed Maureen back to her girlfriend.

"I have fans?" Roger asked, sounding a little stunned by the news. "Fans who listen to my music?" Mimi rolled her eyes and sauntered over,

"Of course you do, silly, who wouldn't love to listen you?" she said, kissing him firmly on the lips.

"Are they waiting for us back at the van?" Mark asked, ignoring his friends and leaning in to talk to the professor and Jean. "Guys, I think we're actually about to head back out so---" he started, turning back to address his friends.

The Professor was looking off distantly, but suddenly Jean looked up, and her eyes turned from their usual green to a bright red etched in orange and yellow, as if her irises themselves had lit on fire.

"We need to leave," She said suddenly. In his head, Mark heard the deep voice of the Professor, saying something entirely different than what he was speaking.

//Mark, we will send someone to pick you up in a few hours. I fear there may be a problem.//

"I do apologise, but we have pressing matters to attend to- thank you all again for your support and action. I'm sure we will all meet again." Charles explained gently, and Jean was obviously anxious to leave. Her knuckles were clenched white around the handles of the Professor's wheelchair, entire posture rigid, and although her eyes had returned to normal, they were dark and angry.